A.M. No.

02-8-13-SC
2004 Rules on Notarial Practice

singular include the plural, and words in the

plural include the singular.

Republic of the Philippines

Supreme Court
Manila

RULE II

EN BANC

SECTION 1. Acknowledgment. Acknowledgment refers to an act in which an

individual on a single
occasion:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC

2004 Rules on Notarial Practice
RESOLUTION
Acting on the compliance dated 05 July 2004
and on the proposed Rules on Notarial Practice
of 2004 submitted by the Sub-Committee for the
Study, Drafting and Formulation of the Rules
Governing the Appointment of Notaries Public
and the Performance and Exercise of Their
Official Functions, of the Committees on
Revision of the Rules of Court and on Legal
Education and Bar Matters, the Court Resolved
to APPROVE the proposed Rules on Notarial
Practice of 2004, with modifications,
thus:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
2004 RULES ON NOTARIAL PRACTICE
RULE I
IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 1. Title. - These Rules shall be known
as the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice.
SEC. 2. Purposes. - These Rules shall be applied
and construed to advance the following
purposes:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) to promote, serve, and protect public
interest; chan robles virtual law library
(b) to simplify, clarify, and modernize the rules
governing notaries public; and
(c) to foster ethical conduct among notaries
public. chan robles virtual law library
SEC. 3. Interpretation. - Unless the context of
these Rules otherwise indicates, words in the

DEFINITIONS

(a) appears in person before the notary public

and presents an integrally complete instrument
or document;
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(b) is attested to be personally known to the
notary public or identified by the notary public
through competent evidence of identity as
defined by these Rules; and chan robles virtual law library
(c) represents to the notary public that the
signature on the instrument or document was
voluntarily affixed by him for the purposes
stated in the instrument or document, declares
that he has executed the instrument or
document as his free and voluntary act and
deed, and, if he acts in a particular
representative capacity, that he has the
authority to sign in that capacity.
SEC. 2. Affirmation or Oath. - The term
Affirmation or Oath refers to an act in which
an individual on a single occasion: chan robles
virtual law library
(a) appears in person before the notary public;
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(b) is personally known to the notary public or
identified by the notary public through
competent evidence of identity as defined by
these Rules; and chan robles virtual law library
(c) avows under penalty of law to the whole
truth of the contents of the instrument or
document.

SEC. 3. Commission. - Commission refers to

the grant of authority to perform notarial acts
and to the written evidence of the authority.
SEC. 4. Copy Certification. - Copy Certification
refers to a notarial act in which a notary
public:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) is presented with an instrument or
document that is neither a vital record, a public
record, nor publicly recordable;
(b) copies or supervises the copying of the
instrument or document;
(c) compares the instrument or document with
the copy; and
(d) determines that the copy is accurate and
complete.
SEC. 5. Notarial Register. - Notarial Register
refers to a permanently bound book with
numbered pages containing a chronological
record of notarial acts performed by a notary
public. chan robles virtual law library
SEC. 6. Jurat. - Jurat refers to an act in which
an individual on a single
occasion:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) appears in person before the notary public
and presents an instrument or document;
(b) is personally known to the notary public or
identified by the notary public through
competent evidence of identity as defined by
these Rules; chan robles virtual law library
(c) signs the instrument or document in the
presence of the notary; and
(d) takes an oath or affirmation before the
notary public as to such instrument or
document.
SEC. 7. Notarial Act and Notarization. - Notarial
Act and Notarization refer to any act that a
notary public is empowered to perform under
these Rules.
SEC. 8. Notarial Certificate. - Notarial
Certificate refers to the part of, or attachment

to, a notarized instrument or document that is

completed by the notary public, bears the
notary's signature and seal, and states the facts
attested to by the notary public in a particular
notarization as provided for by these Rules.
chan robles virtual law library
SEC. 9. Notary Public and Notary. - Notary
Public and Notary refer to any person
commissioned to perform official acts under
these Rules.cralaw
SEC. 10. Principal. - Principal refers to a
person appearing before the notary public
whose act is the subject of notarization. chan
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SEC. 11. Regular Place of Work or Business. The term regular place of work or business
refers to a stationary office in the city or
province wherein the notary public renders legal
and notarial services. chan robles virtual law
library
SEC. 12. Competent Evidence of Identity. - The
phrase competent evidence of identity refers
to the identification of an individual based
on:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) at least one current identification document
issued by an official agency bearing the
photograph and signature of the individual; or
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(b) the oath or affirmation of one credible
witness not privy to the instrument, document
or transaction who is personally known to the
notary public and who personally knows the
individual, or of two credible witnesses neither
of whom is privy to the instrument, document or
transaction who each personally knows the
individual and shows to the notary public
documentary identification.
SEC. 13. Official Seal or Seal. - Official seal or
Seal refers to a device for affixing a mark,
image or impression on all papers officially
signed by the notary public conforming the
requisites prescribed by these Rules.
SEC. 14. Signature Witnessing. - The term
signature witnessing refers to a notarial act in

which an individual on a single occasion: chan

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(1) must be a citizen of the Philippines; chan

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(a) appears in person before the notary public

and presents an instrument or document;

(2) must be over twenty-one (21) years of age;

chan robles virtual law library

(b) is personally known to the notary public or

identified by the notary public through
competent evidence of identity as defined by
these Rules; and chan robles virtual law library

(3) must be a resident in the Philippines for at

least one (1) year and maintains a regular place
of work or business in the city or province where
the commission is to be issued; chan robles
virtual law library

(c) signs the instrument or document in the

presence of the notary public.
SEC. 15. Court. - Court refers to the Supreme
Court of the Philippines.
SEC. 16. Petitioner. - Petitioner refers to a
person who applies for a notarial
commission.cralaw
SEC. 17. Office of the Court Administrator. Office of the Court Administrator refers to the
Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme
Court.cralaw
SEC. 18. Executive Judge. - Executive Judge
refers to the Executive Judge of the Regional
Trial Court of a city or province who issues a
notarial commission.cralaw
SEC. 19. Vendor. - Vendor under these Rules
refers to a seller of a notarial seal and shall
include a wholesaler or retailer. chan robles
virtual law library
SEC. 20. Manufacturer. - Manufacturer under
these Rules refers to one who produces a
notarial seal and shall include an engraver and
seal maker. chan robles virtual law library
RULE III
COMMISSIONING OF NOTARY PUBLIC
SECTION 1. Qualifications. - A notarial
commission may be issued by an Executive
Judge to any qualified person who submits a
petition in accordance with these Rules. chan
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To be eligible for commissioning as notary
public, the petitioner:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(4) must be a member of the Philippine Bar in

good standing with clearances from the Office of
the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court and the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines; and
(5) must not have been convicted in the first
instance of any crime involving moral turpitude.
SEC. 2. Form of the Petition and Supporting
Documents. - Every petition for a notarial
commission shall be in writing, verified, and
shall include the
following:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) a statement containing the petitioner's
personal qualifications, including the petitioner's
date of birth, residence, telephone number,
professional tax receipt, roll of attorney's
number and IBP membership number;

(b) certification of good moral character of the

petitioner by at least two (2) executive officers
of the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines where he is applying for commission;

(c) proof of payment for the filing of the petition

as required by these Rules; and

(d) three (3) passport-size color photographs

with light background taken within thirty (30)
days of the application. The photograph should
not be retouched. The petitioner shall sign his
name at the bottom part of the photographs.

SEC. 3. Application Fee. - Every petitioner for a

notarial commission shall pay the application
fee as prescribed in the Rules of Court. chan
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SEC. 4. Summary Hearing on the Petition. - The
Executive Judge shall conduct a summary
hearing on the petition and shall grant the same
if:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) the petition is sufficient in form and
substance;
(b) the petitioner proves the allegations
contained in the petition; and
(c) the petitioner establishes to the satisfaction
of the Executive Judge that he has read and fully
understood these Rules.
The Executive Judge shall forthwith issue a
commission and a Certificate of Authorization to
Purchase a Notarial Seal in favor of the
petitioner. chan robles virtual law library
SEC. 5. Notice of Summary Hearing. (a) The notice of summary hearing shall be
published in a newspaper of general circulation
in the city or province where the hearing shall
be conducted and posted in a conspicuous place
in the offices of the Executive Judge and of the
Clerk of Court. The cost of the publication shall
be borne by the petitioner. The notice may
include more than one petitioner.

(b) The notice shall be substantially in the

following form:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
NOTICE OF HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a summary hearing
on the petition for notarial commission of (name
of petitioner) shall be held on (date) at (place)
at (time). Any person who has any cause or
reason to object to the grant of the petition may
file a verified written opposition thereto,
received by the undersigned before the date of
the summary hearing.chanrobles virtual law
library chan robles virtual law library

_____________________
Executive Judge

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEC. 6. Opposition to Petition. - Any person who

has any cause or reason to object to the grant of
the petition may file a verified written
opposition thereto. The opposition must be
received by the Executive Judge before the date
of the summary hearing. chan robles virtual law
library

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF_____________ chan

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SEC. 7. Form of Notarial Commission. - The

commissioning of a notary public shall be in a
formal order signed by the Executive Judge
substantially in the following
form:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

This is to authorize (name of notary public) of

(city or province) who was commissioned by the
undersigned as a notary public, within and for
the said jurisdiction, for a term ending, the
thirty-first of December (year) to purchase a
notarial seal.chanrobles virtual law library chan
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REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF ______________

Issued this (day) of (month) (year).

This is to certify that (name of notary public) of

(regular place of work or business) in (city or
province) was on this (date) day of (month) two
thousand and (year) commissioned by the
undersigned as a notary public, within and for
the said jurisdiction, for a term ending the thirtyfirst day of December (year) chan robles virtual
law library

________________________

________________________
Executive Judge
SEC. 8. Period Of Validity of Certificate of
Authorization to Purchase a Notarial Seal. - The
Certificate of Authorization to Purchase a
Notarial Seal shall be valid for a period of three
(3) months from date of issue, unless extended
by the Executive Judge.
A mark, image or impression of the seal that
may be purchased by the notary public pursuant
to the Certificate shall be presented to the
Executive Judge for approval prior to use.cralaw
SEC. 9. Form of Certificate of Authorization to
Purchase a Notarial Seal. - The Certificate of
Authorization to Purchase a Notarial Seal shall
substantially be in the following
form:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION
TO PURCHASE A NOTARIAL SEAL chan robles
virtual law library

Executive Judge

SEC. 10. Official Seal of Notary Public. - Every

person commissioned as notary public shall
have only one official seal of office in
accordance with these Rules.
SEC. 11. Jurisdiction and Term. - A person
commissioned as notary public may perform
notarial acts in any place within the territorial
jurisdiction of the commissioning court for a
period of two (2) years commencing the first
day of January of the year in which the
commissioning is made, unless earlier revoked
or the notary public has resigned under these
Rules and the Rules of Court. chan robles virtual
law library
SEC. 12. Register of Notaries Public. - The
Executive Judge shall keep and maintain a
Register of Notaries Public in his jurisdiction
which shall contain, among others, the dates of
issuance or revocation or suspension of notarial
commissions, and the resignation or death of
notaries public. The Executive Judge shall
furnish the Office of the Court Administrator
information and data recorded in the register of

notaries public. The Office of the Court

Administrator shall keep a permanent, complete
and updated database of such records. chan
robles virtual law library

(b) A notary public is authorized to certify the

affixing of a signature by thumb or other mark
on an instrument or document presented for
notarization if:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

SEC. 13. Renewal of Commission. - A notary

public may file a written application with the
Executive Judge for the renewal of his
commission within forty-five (45) days before
the expiration thereof. A mark, image or
impression of the seal of the notary public shall
be attached to the application.cralaw

(1) the thumb or other mark is affixed in the

presence of the notary public and of two (2)
disinterested and unaffected witnesses to the
instrument or document;

Failure to file said application will result in the

deletion of the name of the notary public in the
register of notaries public.cralaw

(3) the notary public writes below the thumb or

other mark: "Thumb or Other Mark affixed by
(name of signatory by mark) in the presence of
(names and addresses of witnesses) and
undersigned notary public"; and chan robles
virtual law library

The notary public thus removed from the

Register of Notaries Public may only be
reinstated therein after he is issued a new
commission in accordance with these Rules.
chan robles virtual law library
SEC. 14. Action on Application for Renewal of
Commission. - The Executive Judge shall, upon
payment of the application fee mentioned in
Section 3 above of this Rule, act on an
application for the renewal of a commission
within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof. If
the application is denied, the Executive Judge
shall state the reasons therefor.cralaw
RULE IV
POWERS AND LIMITATIONS OF NOTARIES PUBLIC
SECTION 1. Powers. - (a) A notary public is
empowered to perform the following notarial
acts:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(1) acknowledgments;
(2) oaths and affirmations;
(3) jurats; chan robles virtual law library
(4) signature witnessings;
(5) copy certifications; and
(6) any other act authorized by these Rules.

(2) both witnesses sign their own names in

addition to the thumb or other mark;

the request of the parties in the following sites

located within his territorial jurisdiction: chan
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(1) public offices, convention halls, and similar
places where oaths of office may be
administered;
(2) public function areas in hotels and similar
places for the signing of instruments or
documents requiring notarization;
(3) hospitals and other medical institutions
where a party to an instrument or document is
confined for treatment; and
(4) any place where a party to an instrument or
document requiring notarization is under
detention.

(4) the notary public notarizes the signature by

thumb or other mark through an
acknowledgment, jurat, or signature witnessing.

(b) A person shall not perform a notarial act if

the person involved as signatory to the
instrument or document -

(c) A notary public is authorized to sign on

behalf of a person who is physically unable to
sign or make a mark on an instrument or
document if:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(1) is not in the notary's presence personally at

the time of the notarization; and

(1) the notary public is directed by the person

unable to sign or make a mark to sign on his
behalf;
(2) the signature of the notary public is affixed
in the presence of two disinterested and
unaffected witnesses to the instrument or
document;
(3) both witnesses sign their own names ;
(4) the notary public writes below his signature:
Signature affixed by notary in presence of
(names and addresses of person and two [2]
witnesses); and
(5) the notary public notarizes his signature by
acknowledgment or jurat.
SEC. 2. Prohibitions. - (a) A notary public shall
not perform a notarial act outside his regular
place of work or business; provided, however,
that on certain exceptional occasions or
situations, a notarial act may be performed at

(2) is not personally known to the notary public

or otherwise identified by the notary public
through competent evidence of identity as
defined by these Rules. chan robles virtual law
library
SEC. 3. Disqualifications. - A notary public is
disqualified from performing a notarial act if
he:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) is a party to the instrument or document
that is to be notarized; chan robles virtual law
library
(b) will receive, as a direct or indirect result,
any commission, fee, advantage, right, title,
interest, cash, property, or other consideration,
except as provided by these Rules and by law;
or
(c) is a spouse, common-law partner, ancestor,
descendant, or relative by affinity or
consanguinity of the principal within the fourth
civil degree. chan robles virtual law library

SEC. 4. Refusal to Notarize. - A notary public

shall not perform any notarial act described in
these Rules for any person requesting such an
act even if he tenders the appropriate fee
specified by these Rules
if:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) the notary knows or has good reason to
believe that the notarial act or transaction is
unlawful or immoral;
(b) the signatory shows a demeanor which
engenders in the mind of the notary public
reasonable doubt as to the former's knowledge
of the consequences of the transaction requiring
a notarial act; and
(c) in the notary's judgment, the signatory is
not acting of his or her own free will.
SEC. 5. False or Incomplete Certificate. - A
notary public shall not: chan robles virtual law
library
(a) execute a certificate containing information
known or believed by the notary to be false.
(b) affix an official signature or seal on a
notarial certificate that is incomplete. chan
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SEC. 6. Improper Instruments or Documents. - A
notary public shall not
notarize:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) a blank or incomplete instrument or
document; or chan robles virtual law library
(b) an instrument or document without
appropriate notarial certification.

SEC. 2. Travel Fees and Expenses. - A notary

public may charge travel fees and expenses
separate and apart from the notarial fees
prescribed in the preceding section when
traveling to perform a notarial act if the notary
public and the person requesting the notarial
act agree prior to the travel.cralaw
SEC. 3. Prohibited Fees. No fee or
compensation of any kind, except those
expressly prescribed and allowed herein, shall
be collected or received for any notarial
service.cralaw
SEC. 4. Payment or Refund of Fees. - A notary
public shall not require payment of any fees
specified herein prior to the performance of a
notarial act unless otherwise agreed upon. chan
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(b) A notary public shall keep only one active

notarial register at any given time.cralaw
SEC. 2. Entries in the Notarial Register. - (a) For
every notarial act, the notary shall record in the
notarial register at the time of notarization the
following: chan robles virtual law library
(1) the entry number and page number; chan
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SEC. 5. Notice of Fees. - A notary public who

charges a fee for notarial services shall issue a
receipt registered with the Bureau of Internal
Revenue and keep a journal of notarial fees. He
shall enter in the journal all fees charged for
services rendered. chan robles virtual law library

(4) the title or description of the instrument,

document or proceeding;

A notary public shall post in a conspicuous place

in his office a complete schedule of chargeable
notarial fees.cralaw
RULE VI
NOTARIAL REGISTER

FEES OF NOTARY PUBLIC

SECTION 1. Form of Notarial Register. - (a) A

notary public shall keep, maintain, protect and
provide for lawful inspection as provided in
these Rules, a chronological official notarial
register of notarial acts consisting of a
permanently bound book with numbered pages.
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chan robles virtual law library

For purposes of this provision, a Memorandum

of Agreement or Understanding may be entered
into by the Office of the Solicitor General and
the Office of the Court Administrator. chan
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Any travel fees and expenses paid to a notary

public prior to the performance of a notarial act
are not subject to refund if the notary public had
already traveled but failed to complete in whole
or in part the notarial act for reasons beyond his
control and without negligence on his
part.cralaw

RULE V

SECTION 1. Imposition and Waiver of Fees. - For

performing a notarial act, a notary public may
charge the maximum fee as prescribed by the
Supreme Court unless he waives the fee in
whole or in part.

public upon request and upon payment of the

cost thereof. The register shall be duly paged,
and on the first page, the Solicitor General shall
certify the number of pages of which the book
consists.cralaw

The register shall be kept in books to be

furnished by the Solicitor General to any notary

(2) the date and time of day of the notarial act;

(3) the type of notarial act; chan robles virtual
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(5) the name and address of each principal;

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(6) the competent evidence of identity as
defined by these Rules if the signatory is not
personally known to the notary; chan robles
virtual law library
(7) the name and address of each credible
witness swearing to or affirming the person's
identity;
(8) the fee charged for the notarial act;
(9) the address where the notarization was
performed if not in the notary's regular place of
work or business; and
(10) any other circumstance the notary public
may deem of significance or relevance.

(b) A notary public shall record in the notarial

register the reasons and circumstances for not
completing a notarial act.
(c) A notary public shall record in the notarial
register the circumstances of any request to
inspect or copy an entry in the notarial register,
including the requester's name, address,
signature, thumbmark or other recognized
identifier, and evidence of identity. The reasons
for refusal to allow inspection or copying of a
journal entry shall also be recorded.cralaw
(d) When the instrument or document is a
contract, the notary public shall keep an original
copy thereof as part of his records and enter in
said records a brief description of the substance
thereof and shall give to each entry a
consecutive number, beginning with number
one in each calendar year. He shall also retain a
duplicate original copy for the Clerk of
Court.cralaw
(e) The notary public shall give to each
instrument or document executed, sworn to, or
acknowledged before him a number
corresponding to the one in his register, and
shall also state on the instrument or document
the page/s of his register on which the same is
recorded. No blank line shall be left between
entries.cralaw
(f) In case of a protest of any draft, bill of
exchange or promissory note, the notary public
shall make a full and true record of all
proceedings in relation thereto and shall note
therein whether the demand for the sum of
money was made, by whom, when, and where;
whether he presented such draft, bill or note;
whether notices were given, to whom and in
what manner; where the same was made, when
and to whom and where directed; and of every
other fact touching the same.cralaw
(g) At the end of each week, the notary public
shall certify in his notarial register the number
of instruments or documents executed, sworn
to, acknowledged, or protested before him; or if
none, this certificate shall show this fact.cralaw
(h) A certified copy of each month's entries and
a duplicate original copy of any instrument
acknowledged before the notary public shall,

within the first ten (10) days of the month

following, be forwarded to the Clerk of Court and
shall be under the responsibility of such officer.
If there is no entry to certify for the month, the
notary shall forward a statement to this effect in
lieu of certified copies herein required.cralaw
SEC. 3. Signatures and Thumbmarks. - At the
time of notarization, the notary's notarial
register shall be signed or a thumb or other
mark affixed by each:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) principal;
(b) credible witness swearing or affirming to the
identity of a principal; and
(c) witness to a signature by thumb or other
mark, or to a signing by the notary public on
behalf of a person physically unable to sign.
SEC. 4. Inspection, Copying and Disposal. - (a) In
the notary's presence, any person may inspect
an entry in the notarial register, during regular
business hours, provided;
(1) the person's identity is personally known to
the notary public or proven through competent
evidence of identity as defined in these Rules;
(2) the person affixes a signature and thumb or
other mark or other recognized identifier, in the
notarial register in a separate, dated entry;

SEC. 5. Loss, Destruction or Damage of Notarial

Register. - (a) In case the notarial register is
stolen, lost, destroyed, damaged, or otherwise
rendered unusable or illegible as a record of
notarial acts, the notary public shall, within ten
(10) days after informing the appropriate law
enforcement agency in the case of theft or
vandalism, notify the Executive Judge by any
means providing a proper receipt or
acknowledgment, including registered mail and
also provide a copy or number of any pertinent
police report.cralaw
(b) Upon revocation or expiration of a notarial
commission, or death of the notary public, the
notarial register and notarial records shall
immediately be delivered to the office of the
Executive Judge.cralaw
SEC. 6. Issuance of Certified True Copies. - The
notary public shall supply a certified true copy
of the notarial record, or any part thereof, to any
person applying for such copy upon payment of
the legal fees.cralaw
RULE VII
SIGNATURE AND SEAL OF NOTARY PUBLIC
SECTION 1. Official Signature. In notarizing a
paper instrument or document, a notary public
shall:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(3) the person specifies the month, year, type of

instrument or document, and name of the
principal in the notarial act or acts sought; and

(a) sign by hand on the notarial certificate only

the name indicated and as appearing on the
notary's commission; chan robles virtual law
library

(4) the person is shown only the entry or entries

specified by him.

(b) not sign using a facsimile stamp or printing

device; and

(b) The notarial register may be examined by a

law enforcement officer in the course of an
official investigation or by virtue of a court
order.

(c) affix his official signature only at the time the

notarial act is performed.

(c) If the notary public has a reasonable ground

to believe that a person has a criminal intent or
wrongful motive in requesting information from
the notarial register, the notary shall deny
access to any entry or entries therein.cralaw

SEC. 2. Official Seal. - (a) Every person

commissioned as notary public shall have a seal
of office, to be procured at his own expense,
which shall not be possessed or owned by any
other person. It shall be of metal, circular in
shape, two inches in diameter, and shall have
the name of the city or province and the word
Philippines and his own name on the margin
and the roll of attorney's number on the face

thereof, with the words "notary public" across

the center. A mark, image or impression of such
seal shall be made directly on the paper or
parchment on which the writing appears.
(b) The official seal shall be affixed only at the
time the notarial act is performed and shall be
clearly impressed by the notary public on every
page of the instrument or document notarized.
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(c) When not in use, the official seal shall be
kept safe and secure and shall be accessible
only to the notary public or the person duly
authorized by him. chan robles virtual law
library
(d) Within five (5) days after the official seal of a
notary public is stolen, lost, damaged or other
otherwise rendered unserviceable in affixing a
legible image, the notary public, after informing
the appropriate law enforcement agency, shall
notify the Executive Judge in writing, providing
proper receipt or acknowledgment, including
registered mail, and in the event of a crime
committed, provide a copy or entry number of
the appropriate police record. Upon receipt of
such notice, if found in order by the Executive
Judge, the latter shall order the notary public to
cause notice of such loss or damage to be
published, once a week for three (3) consecutive
weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation in
the city or province where the notary public is
commissioned. Thereafter, the Executive Judge
shall issue to the notary public a new Certificate
of Authorization to Purchase a Notarial
Seal.cralaw
(e) Within five (5) days after the death or
resignation of the notary public, or the
revocation or expiration of a notarial
commission, the official seal shall be
surrendered to the Executive Judge and shall be
destroyed or defaced in public during office
hours. In the event that the missing, lost or
damaged seal is later found or surrendered, it
shall be delivered by the notary public to the
Executive Judge to be disposed of in accordance
with this section. Failure to effect such surrender
shall constitute contempt of court. In the event
of death of the notary public, the person in
possession of the official seal shall have the

duty to surrender it to the Executive

Judge.cralaw
SEC. 3. Seal Image. - The notary public shall
affix a single, clear, legible, permanent, and
photographically reproducible mark, image or
impression of the official seal beside his
signature on the notarial certificate of a paper
instrument or document.cralaw
SEC. 4. Obtaining and Providing Seal. - (a) A
vendor or manufacturer of notarial seals may
not sell said product without a written
authorization from the Executive Judge.cralaw
(b) Upon written application and after payment
of the application fee, the Executive Judge may
issue an authorization to sell to a vendor or
manufacturer of notarial seals after verification
and investigation of the latter's qualifications.
The Executive Judge shall charge an
authorization fee in the amount of PhP 4,000 for
the vendor and PhP 8,000 for the manufacturer.
If a manufacturer is also a vendor, he shall only
pay the manufacturer's authorization fee.cralaw
(c) The authorization shall be in effect for a
period of four (4) years from the date of its
issuance and may be renewed by the Executive
Judge for a similar period upon payment of the
authorization fee mentioned in the preceding
paragraph.cralaw
(d) A vendor or manufacturer shall not sell a
seal to a buyer except upon submission of a
certified copy of the commission and the
Certificate of Authorization to Purchase a
Notarial Seal issued by the Executive Judge. A
notary public obtaining a new seal as a result of
change of name shall present to the vendor or
manufacturer a certified copy of the
Confirmation of the Change of Name issued by
the Executive Judge.cralaw
(e) Only one seal may be sold by a vendor or
manufacturer for each Certificate of
Authorization to Purchase a Notarial Seal.cralaw
(f) After the sale, the vendor or manufacturer
shall affix a mark, image or impression of the
seal to the Certificate of Authorization to
Purchase a Notarial Seal and submit the
completed Certificate to the Executive Judge.

Copies of the Certificate of Authorization to

Purchase a Notarial Seal and the buyer's
commission shall be kept in the files of the
vendor or manufacturer for four (4) years after
the sale.cralaw
(g) A notary public obtaining a new seal as a
result of change of name shall present to the
vendor a certified copy of the order confirming
the change of name issued by the Executive
Judge.cralaw
RULE VIII
NOTARIAL CERTIFICATES
SECTION 1. Form of Notarial Certificate. - The
notarial form used for any notarial instrument or
document shall conform to all the requisites
prescribed herein, the Rules of Court and all
other provisions of issuances by the Supreme
Court and in applicable laws. chan robles virtual
law library
SEC. 2. Contents of the Concluding Part of the
Notarial Certificate. The notarial certificate
shall include the
following:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) the name of the notary public as exactly
indicated in the commission;
(b) the serial number of the commission of the
notary public;
(c) the words "Notary Public" and the province
or city where the notary public is commissioned,
the expiration date of the commission, the office
address of the notary public; and
(d) the roll of attorney's number, the
professional tax receipt number and the place
and date of issuance thereof, and the IBP
membership number.
RULE IX
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF NOTARIES
PUBLIC
SECTION 1. Certificate of Authority for a Notarial
Act. - A certificate of authority evidencing the
authenticity of the official seal and signature of

a notary public shall be issued by the Executive

Judge upon request in substantially the following
form: chan robles virtual law library
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY FOR A NOTARIAL
ACT
I, (name, title, jurisdiction of the Executive
Judge), certify that (name of notary public), the
person named in the seal and signature on the
attached document, is a Notary Public in and for
the (City/Municipality/Province) of the Republic
of the Philippines and authorized to act as such
at the time of the document's
notarization.chanrobles virtual law library chan
robles virtual law library
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed below my
signature and seal of this office this (date) day
of (month) (year).chanrobles virtual law library
chan robles virtual law library
_________________
(official signature)

(b) a new seal bearing the new name has been

obtained.
The foregoing notwithstanding, until the
aforementioned steps have been completed, the
notary public may continue to use the former
name or regular place of work or business in
performing notarial acts for three (3) months
from the date of the change, which may be
extended once for valid and just cause by the
Executive Judge for another period not
exceeding three (3) months.
SEC. 2. Resignation. - A notary public may resign
his commission by personally submitting a
written, dated and signed formal notice to the
Executive Judge together with his notarial seal,
notarial register and records. Effective from the
date indicated in the notice, he shall
immediately cease to perform notarial acts. In
the event of his incapacity to personally appear,
the submission of the notice may be performed
by his duly authorized representative.cralaw

CHANGES OF STATUS OF NOTARY PUBLIC

SEC. 3. Publication of Resignation. - The

Executive Judge shall immediately order the
Clerk of Court to post in a conspicuous place in
the offices of the Executive Judge and of the
Clerk of Court the names of notaries public who
have resigned their notarial commissions and
the effective dates of their resignation.cralaw

SECTION 1. Change of Name and Address. -

RULE XI

Within ten (10) days after the change of name

of the notary public by court order or by
marriage, or after ceasing to maintain the
regular place of work or business, the notary
public shall submit a signed and dated notice of
such fact to the Executive Judge.

REVOCATION OF COMMISSION AND

DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

The notary public shall not notarize

until:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(b) In addition, the Executive Judge may revoke

the commission of, or impose appropriate
administrative sanctions upon, any notary public
who:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(seal of Executive Judge)

RULE X

(a) he receives from the Executive Judge a

confirmation of the new name of the notary
public and/or change of regular place of work or
business; and

SECTION 1. Revocation and Administrative

Sanctions. - (a) The Executive Judge shall revoke
a notarial commission for any ground on which
an application for a commission may be denied.
chan robles virtual law library

(1) fails to keep a notarial register;

(2) fails to make the proper entry or entries in
his notarial register concerning his notarial acts;

(3) fails to send the copy of the entries to the

Executive Judge within the first ten (10) days of
the month following;
(4) fails to affix to acknowledgments the date of
expiration of his commission;
(5) fails to submit his notarial register, when
filled, to the Executive Judge;
(6) fails to make his report, within a reasonable
time, to the Executive Judge concerning the
performance of his duties, as may be required
by the judge;
(7) fails to require the presence of a principal at
the time of the notarial act;
(8) fails to identify a principal on the basis of
personal knowledge or competent evidence;
(9) executes a false or incomplete certificate
under Section 5, Rule IV;
(10) knowingly performs or fails to perform any
other act prohibited or mandated by these
Rules; and
(11) commits any other dereliction or act which
in the judgment of the Executive Judge
constitutes good cause for revocation of
commission or imposition of administrative
sanction.
(c) Upon verified complaint by an interested,
affected or aggrieved person, the notary public
shall be required to file a verified answer to the
complaint. If the answer of the notary public is
not satisfactory, the Executive Judge shall
conduct a summary hearing. If the allegations of
the complaint are not proven, the complaint
shall be dismissed. If the charges are duly
established, the Executive Judge shall impose
the appropriate administrative sanctions. In
either case, the aggrieved party may appeal the
decision to the Supreme Court for review.
Pending the appeal, an order imposing
disciplinary sanctions shall be immediately
executory, unless otherwise ordered by the
Supreme Court.
(d) The Executive Judge may motu proprio
initiate administrative proceedings against a

notary public, subject to the procedures

prescribed in paragraph (c) above and impose
the appropriate administrative sanctions on the
grounds mentioned in the preceding paragraphs
(a) and (b).cralaw
SEC. 2. Supervision and Monitoring of Notaries
Public. - The Executive Judge shall at all times
exercise supervision over notaries public and
shall closely monitor their activities. chan robles
virtual law library
SEC. 3. Publication of Revocations and
Administrative Sanctions. - The Executive Judge
shall immediately order the Clerk of Court to
post in a conspicuous place in the offices of the
Executive Judge and of the Clerk of Court the
names of notaries public who have been
administratively sanctioned or whose notarial
commissions have been revoked.cralaw
SEC. 4. Death of Notary Public. - If a notary
public dies before fulfilling the obligations in
Section 4(e), Rule VI and Section 2(e), Rule VII,
the Executive Judge, upon being notified of such
death, shall forthwith cause compliance with the
provisions of these sections. chan robles virtual
law library
RULE XII
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Punishable Acts. - The Executive
Judge shall cause the prosecution of any person
who:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) knowingly acts or otherwise impersonates a
notary public; chan robles virtual law library
(b) knowingly obtains, conceals, defaces, or
destroys the seal, notarial register, or official
records of a notary public; and
(c) knowingly solicits, coerces, or in any way
influences a notary public to commit official
misconduct.
SEC 2. Reports to the Supreme Court. - The
Executive Judge concerned shall submit
semestral reports to the Supreme Court on
discipline and prosecution of notaries public.

RULE XIII
REPEALING AND EFFECTIVITY PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Repeal. - All rules and parts of rules,
including issuances of the Supreme Court
inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed or
accordingly modified. chan robles virtual law
library
SEC. 2. Effective Date. - These Rules shall take
effect on the first day of August 2004, and shall
be published in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines which provides
sufficiently wide circulation.
Promulgated this 6th day of July, 2004. chan
robles virtual law library
Davide, Jr. C.J., Puno, Vitug, Panganiban,
Quisumbing, Ynarez-Santiago, SandovalGutierrez, Carpio, Austria-Martinez, Corona,
Carpio-Morales, Callejo, Sr., Azcuna and Tinga,
JJ.cralaw